Interview Series: Thinking Like Owners with Christianna Denelsbeck Rudder

How can mentorship serve as a pivotal influence in career advancement, particularly for women in traditionally male-dominated fields such as finance and landscaping?In this episode, Marty Grunder is joined by Landscape Workshop CFO Christianna Denelsbeck Rudder to talk about how they get their branch managers to think like owners, what's changed as the company has grown, the metrics they pay attention to, what it's like working with CEO J.T. Price, and the challenges and solutions she's found as the business faced challenges. Christianna stresses that cultural integration is more than a buzzword—it's the backbone of successful mergers. With a dedicated PMI team, companies can align cultures and operations, ensuring smoother transitions. She also sheds light on why business owners might consider selling, highlighting that larger partnerships can alleviate labor challenges and administrative burdens, allowing businesses to thrive by focusing on core strengths. From mentorship to leadership, Christianna speaks candidly about the importance of direct feedback and open communication in career growth. Learn how she's been inspired by mentors with McKinsey backgrounds and how "honest, open, and transparent" conversations foster a performance-driven culture. You’ll hear some of the unique challenges women face in this industry, advocating for mentorship to break down barriers, whether it's navigating maternity leave or bridging gender gaps. Community involvement is key - Christianna recounts her engagement with initiatives like Rotaract, demonstrating the powerful impact of mentorship and community support. Landscape Workshop is a full-service grounds management company that has been providing professional service and expert maintenance for outdoor commercial spaces since 1984. We bring out the best in each property we serve while delivering a first-class experience every time. With multiple locations throughout the Southeast, LW has the resources to consistently deliver superior landscaping services across our expansive footprint. Our regional clients have the unique benefit of hiring one landscape vendor for multiple locations.In This Episode: (00:00) ACE group memories from New Orleans, intro of guest Christianna Denelsbeck Rudder, CFO of Landscape Workshop  (05:44) The path to finance and accounting, learning from challenges (12:07) Cultural integration in mergers and acquisitions, why business owners should consider selling for growth opportunities, role of CFO in small company operations   (24:00) JT Price - how is it to work for a demanding CEO? Tips and tricks on getting promoted, value of direct feedback and transparent communication   (32:55) Excelling in current roles as a pathway to promotions, mentorship in male-dominated industries, learning from younger/older colleagues and their perspectives, navigating unique situations with female mentorship (37:00) Recognizing you’re not the only one who can do the job, letting go of perfectionism, strategies for staying organized with technology and outsourcing